Former Soccer Star ‘Geordie’ Dies

LONDON (AP) _ George ``Geordie″ Armstrong, a star of Arsenal’s League-Cup double-winning side of 1971, died Wednesday after collapsing at the club’s training ground. He was 56.

Armstrong collapsed at the Hertfordshire ground Tuesday while running a training session in his role as reserve team manager.

He was taken to nearby Hemel Hempstead hospital and put on a life-support machine, but died in the early hours Wednesday.

Armstrong joined Arsenal straight out of school and made his first-team debut at the age of 17. He made 621 appearances for Arsenal, a club record before it was passed by David O’Leary (722) and Tony Adams (624).

After a 15-year playing career at Highbury, during which he scored 70 goals, Armstrong joined Leicester and Stockport before taking coaching jobs with Aston Villa, Fulham, Middlesbrough and in Norway and Kuwait.

He returned to Highbury in 1990 under manager George Graham.

Armstrong is survived by his wife, Marje, and a son and daughter.

Arsenal players were to wear black armbands in Wednesday night’s League Cup match against Ipswich, with fans asked to observe a moment of silence.